Joining the Party in Geneva: New Nissan JUKE, Smart Rearview Mirror

Latest Tech Puts LCD Monitor in Rearview Mirror

Nissan is planning to turn the ol' style dial up to 11 on the new 2015 Nissan Juke, claiming it will be "the most distinctive crossover yet" when it's revealed at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show on March 4. And while that may seem like a tall order, the teaser image just released for the new Nissan Juke is plenty distinctive, while also, of course, showing almost no distinguishing features of the vehicle itself.

For that, Nissan is following the increasingly common trend of leveraging social media to promote a staged reveal of the exterior, although with a notably European accent befitting the Juke's Geneva debut: Along with following along at the Facebook pages for Nissan and the Juke, the automaker also is touting the Instagram and Twitter feeds of its Nissan Europe team as outlets for the latest on the 2015 Nissan Juke.

Details about the new design are otherwise slim, but customers can look forward to "improved efficiency, advanced technology and greater practicality," according to Nissan.

On the other hand, Nissan did provide plenty of info on another product that will be introduced at Geneva, although this one will have customers looking rearward ...

Joining the Party in Geneva: New Nissan JUKE, Smart Rearview Mirror

Latest Tech Puts LCD Monitor in Rearview Mirror

More Nissan News from Geneva: Smart Rearview Mirror

Nissan seems intent on carving out a leadership position in the industry in terms of rear-vision systems, and the company's next advance, called the "Smart rearview mirror," also is scheduled for a Geneva introduction.

The technology is a next logical step from today's rearview and 360-view camera systems, integrating a high-mounted camera at the back of a vehicle to provide an enhanced display right within the traditional rearview-mirror housing. In the Nissan setup, the new "mirror" actually combines a high-res LCD monitor for video and the functionality of a standard rearview mirror, with drivers able to toggle between the two by using a switch at the bottom of the mirror housing.

Nissan is touting two key advantages for the system, including rear visibility that won't be blocked by the vehicle's roof pillars, tall rear-seat occupants or, in crossovers/SUVs, bulky cargo. Further, cutting-edge image-processing technology as well as a specially developed, narrow-angle camera, help enable a clearer, sharper view, even in poor weather and lighting conditions, with minimal glare from following headlights.

“Smart rearview mirror will give our customers the best possible view no matter how tall the passengers in the back seat, or the road conditions," said Andy Palmer, chief planning officer and executive vice president of Nissan. “It also offers the possibility of new and exciting designs for our upcoming models because Smart rearview mirror is an alternative to a very wide rear window for good visibility. We'll have the flexibility to create new shapes, and to further improve aerodynamics for better fuel efficiency."

The new mirror will no doubt come to Nissan’s production lineup some time in the future, but before then, it will undergo shakedown testing in the company’s motorsports programs—including the electrically enhanced Nissan ZEOD racecar that will compete in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.

Said Shoichi Miratani, president of Nissan’s NISMO performance division: “Under the harsh driving conditions in the world of motorsports, retaining a clear view for the race driver is of utmost importance. In that sense, the Smart rearview mirror will be a powerful tool for our Nissan NISMO drivers. Also, we have high expectations towards improving the cars' aerodynamic design, thanks to the Smart rearview mirror, thereby expanding the possibilities of race cars to a new level."